The biggest healthcare problem in America is that it’s far too expensive for what we get. Hospitals and doctors overcharge, pharmaceutical companies jack up prices, and everyday Americans are left with massive out-of-pocket expenses. We can lower healthcare costs for all, put a cap on out-of-pocket costs, and engage in preventative public health rather than expensive emergency medicine, all while increasing life expectancy.

American’s pay a whopping 17% of national income for health care while other countries pay only 10-12% of national income and yet live longer. [4]

Life expectancy in the United States is 78.8 years, 3 years less than Australia (82.5) and, France (82.4), and Sweden (82.3) and 5 years less than Japan (83.9). [5] In twelve US states it is already at 80 years or higher, but fifteen states are still below 78 years. [6]

Hunger and food insecurity cause enormous suffering and cost the US economy an estimated $160 billion in 2014. [7]